India’s wait for US envoy gets longer as Senate halts Garcetti nomination

Eric Garcetti, who was nominated to be United States’ envoy to India, will have to wait before taking over the diplomatic position. The Senate Judiciary Committee has reportedly put the nomination on hold as Garcetti’s sexual harassment allegations have taken a new turn.

“Numerous credible allegations” were received by the Senate committee on Thursday that say Garcetti was aware of sexual harassment and assaults of city employees committed by his close friend and adviser. Garcetti, 51, currently serves as the mayor of Los Angeles.

Also Read: Eric Garcetti and India: What to expect from the ambassadorship

Garcetti’s confirmation as the ambassador to India has been due for long. President Joe Biden nominated the Democratic politician in July last year.

“The United States owes it to the Republic of India to send them a qualified Ambassador that will represent the values of the United States,” Chuck Grassley, the top Republican lawmaker in the committee, said in a statement to GOP’s Mitch McConnell.

“Mayor Garcetti may very well be fully qualified, but at this time, the Senate needs to look into these allegations further,” Grassley added. “Until my staff and I have conducted a thorough investigation and are able to speak with everyone involved I cannot vote to confirm Mr. Garcetti.”

If confirmed by the Senate, Garcetti would replace Kenneth Juster, who served as the United States Ambassador to India during the administration of former President Donald Trump, according to reports from PTI.

The internal investigation has put on hold the confirmation of Garcetti, resulting in the absence of a top American diplomat’s position vacant in New Delhi at a crucial time of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in December, Garcetti told senators considering his nomination that he never witnessed former adviser Rick Jacobs sexually harass one of his police bodyguards, allegations that are at the center of a lawsuit filed against his administration, Associated Press reported.